‘You've been busy all our married life, this is different, it’s something I can't put my finger on …’
‘We go out far more than most other couples I know.’
‘Yes, because you need to catch up on something work-related or have a business meeting over a meal, that’s not us going out ….’
‘We have some amazing holidays.’
‘The last three holidays we’ve had have been with other people!’
‘The Broadhurst’s let us stay in that magnificent villa of theirs for a fortnight, we could hardly ask them to move out so we could be alone.’
‘But what about us Jasper. What happened to us? What happened to the couple who used to be quite happy spending an evening together, not surrounded by other people but quite alone?’
‘This is ridiculous Fliss, there is nothing wrong with our relationship!’
And he had stalked into the bathroom, leaving Fliss frustrated and unhappy and with no choice but to jump into bed and try and pretend that the last hour had never happened.
Jumping up and shaking off the memory, Fliss tried to be positive. There were other ways she could work on Jasper, other ways she could remind him how their relationship used to be and wondering if she would have an aversion to cream satin for the rest of her life, she went upstairs to get changed.
When Jasper came home that evening, the house was full of the rich aroma of beef bourguignon and there was a bottle of red wine next to a couple of glasses on the kitchen table. Fliss had left the corset at the back of the wardrobe and was dressed in jeans and a top as she cooked and stirred and listened to Michael Bublé describe how very much he loved her.
‘Hello darling,’ she called out as he appeared in the doorway. ‘I hope you’re hungry, I've made lots!’ and she reached up to place a warm kiss on his lips.
Seasoning the casserole, she turned back to him in time to see the wince.
‘Sorry darling, I had a huge and very late lunch. I didn't think to let you know,’ he apologised. ‘You don’t usually make anything without checking.’
He was right. In years gone by, she would make something delicious and have it ready for when her handsome husband walked through the door. They would open a bottle of wine and sit at the table chatting for hours. These days they went out far more and if they did have a rare evening at home, Fliss would check with Jasper before she made any effort in the kitchen.
‘It’s okay, I should have asked.’ She dropped the lid back on her casserole dish a little more forcefully than she had intended. ‘Not to worry, it often tastes better the next day.’
‘Oh, don't forget, we’re having dinner with the Bensons tomorrow, I need to talk to Barney about an idea I have for an article,’ he reminded, his back to her as he looked through the post she had placed on the dresser.
Fliss forced another smile. ‘How lovely,’ she said insincerely. ‘Can't wait. Why don’t we go earlier and have a drink before the Benson’s arrive, just the two of us?’
‘Okay, if you want to.’ Jasper gave her a distracted smile and turned to leave the kitchen. ‘By the way, I have to go back out tonight,’ he threw over his shoulder. ‘The piece I’m writing on local councils needs a bit more of a punch and I've just managed to get an interview with one of the treasurers. He should give me a few interesting quotes but he can only do tonight.’
He was halfway upstairs, his words floating down to a tense Fliss who was now sloshing wine into one of the glasses.
‘Can't be helped,’ she muttered through gritted teeth.
His wardrobe door opened and closed and she could hear him moving around upstairs as she emptied her glass.
‘Sorry if I’ve spoiled any plans.’ He was back, having changed his shirt and tie. ‘I would have gone straight there but I needed to pick up some paperwork first.’
He walked past Fliss and into his study, returning with a folder. ‘You hadn't arranged anything had you?’ he asked, looking through the papers in his hand rather than at Fliss.
‘Just a pleasant evening at home. A home-cooked meal, a bottle of wine, a little time together.’
Grabbing his briefcase and adding the file, he reached over to give her a kiss on the cheek while looking at his phone. ‘Good, then I haven’t ruined anything important.